Inflatable sealing device

A sealable shutter door mechanism comprising:

• a door for covering an opening through a structure;
• a seal retainer having a first piece removably disposed onto a second piece and positioned around said opening through said structure, said seal retainer defining a retainer cavity and a slot extending from said retainer cavity toward said opening;
• an inflatable seal positioned within said retainer cavity, said inflatable seal including a seal periphery defining a seal cavity and including a seal tip extending from said seal periphery, said seal tip extending into said slot, said inflatable seal having a deflated state wherein said seal tip is retracted in said slot and an inflated state wherein said seal tip is extended;
• wherein said seal periphery has an elliptical cross-section in said deflated state, and wherein said retainer cavity is shaped such that said seal periphery of said inflatable seal has a substantially circular cross-section when in said inflated state and
• a pressure actuator fluidly coupled to said seal cavity of said inflatable seal for inflating said inflatable seal into said inflated state, whereby said seal tip moves through said slot and into said opening to seal said door.

An inflatable sealing device for use with a door covering an opening through a structure, said inflatable sealing device comprising:

• a seal retainer positioned around said opening through said structure, said seal retainer defining a retainer cavity and a slot extending from said retainer cavity toward said opening;
• an inflatable seal positioned within said retainer cavity, said inflatable seal including a seal periphery defining a seal cavity and including a seal tip extending from said seal periphery and into said slot, said inflatable seal having a deflated state wherein said seal tip is retracted in said slot and said seal periphery has an elliptical cross-section, and an inflated state wherein said seal tip is extended and said seal periphery has a substantially circular cross-section;
• and
• said seal retainer cavity has a first region with dimensions generally corresponding to said elliptical cross-section and a second region with dimensions generally corresponding to said substantially circular cross-section, wherein said seal periphery expands into said second region when in said inflated state and retracts into said first region when in said deflated state.

A sealable shutter door mechanism comprising:

• a door for covering an opening through a structure;
• a seal retainer positioned around said opening through said structure, said seal retainer defining a retainer cavity and a slot extending from said retainer cavity toward said opening;
• an inflatable seal positioned within said retainer cavity, said inflatable seal including a seal periphery defining a seal cavity and including a seal tip extending from said seal periphery and into said slot, said inflatable seal having a deflated state wherein said seal tip is retracted in said slot and said seal periphery has an elliptical cross-section, and an inflated state wherein said seal tip is extended and said seal periphery has a substantially circular cross-section;
• said seal retainer cavity has a first region with dimensions generally corresponding to said elliptical cross-section and a second region with dimensions generally corresponding to said substantially circular cross-section, wherein said seal periphery expands into said second region when in said inflated state and retracts into said first region when in said deflated state;
• and
• a pressure actuator fluidly coupled to said seal cavity of said inflatable seal for inflating said inflatable seal into said inflated state, whereby said seal tip move through said slot and into said opening to seal said door.